SEJC Collection Guidelines and Application

Twelve times a year, one Sunday a month, the BUF congregation is invited to contribute to a Social and Environmental Justice Collection. We choose non-profit organizations serving in the following areas: women and children; environment; poverty/homelessness; peace and human rights; social and economic justice; and health.

Applicants will be invited to briefly speak in favor of their application by their choice of Zoom or in-person on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 at an assigned time between 2:45 and 5:15 pm.

The BUF community focuses on organizations where our financial contribution demonstrably “makes a difference.” Please explain how the money will be used, showing how the collection will relate to the achievement of the program’s goals and objectives, and the target population to be served. This could be accomplished by translating dollar amounts into number of clients served, supplies purchased, etc.

If your organization is chosen to receive a congregational collection, we ask that a representative speak for no more than five minutes during the Sunday service when the collection occurs. Your talk should include highlights in the information you provide below and tell a compelling story in order to be most successful.

In addition to speaking at the service, tell us below how your organization would inform the congregation about your organization's challenges and achievements. Some examples include: on the Sunday of the presentation, provide materials for a topic or action table; staff such a table during the after-service coffee hour to encourage conversation; present about the issues you address at a longer-format forum; provide a hands-on experience or tour for the BUF children, youth or adults; or ....

Applications are due no later than April 12th, 2024, no late applications accepted. Recipients will be announced in June.

Please respond to the questions below. Please limit your response to a total of 250 words for the first two questions on mission and use of funds combined. In addition, please be as concise as possible when answering the additional questions.

Fields marked with * are required

Organization Name: *

Your Name and Job Title: *

Address: *

City, State, Zip: *

Phone: *

Email: *

Is your organization a 501(c)(3)? *

If yes, what is your tax ID#?

If no, please tell us about the nature (size, age, nonprofit practices, fiscal oversight process, etc.) of your organization and/or whether you have a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor.

What is the mission of your organization? *

What will the Social and Environmental Justice Collection be used for? *

Please relate the goals and population served by your organization. For example, $X will serve X clients in the following ways, or will purchase the following needed supplies/services or other qualitative measures.

If your organization has been the recipient of a BUF Social Justice Collection in the past, what was the money used for?

If you have opportunities for BUF members to become involved as volunteers, please list them:

Do you currently have volunteers or employees you know are BUF members? (please leave blank if not)

What learning opportunities might be available to BUF folks who want to know more about your organization? *

Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

Sunday Services: 10:25 am